Chapter 25

“What was the message?”

“Well, it’s just that…”

Secretary Choi glanced at Dokyeom through the rearview mirror and then spoke up.

“They said Artist Bae Yerin and Secretary Han had a loud argument at the gallery.”

“Bae Yerin went there?”

“Yes.”

Hearing that Yerin had unexpectedly visited the gallery made Dokyeom furrow his brow deeply.

In truth, saying that Leeyeon and Yerin fought wasn’t quite accurate.

Raising her voice, failing to control her anger, and even getting physical were all Yerin’s actions.

As Secretary Choi briefly explained the events of that day, Dokyeom’s expression grew even more stern.

He thought the week he was away would pass quietly, but it wasn’t the case.

Secretary Choi cautiously asked, watching Dokyeom’s reaction through the rearview mirror.

“I wonder if Secretary Han is alright.”

“She couldn’t possibly be.”

Leeyeon would never bring up the incident first.

Even if Dokyeom asked, she would surely brush it off as nothing significant.

Of course, there’s no problem with that.

It’s not related to Cha Heeyoung, so it doesn’t violate any contract terms.

It’s just bothersome.

And it’s just on his mind.

Eventually, the car carrying Dokyeom smoothly entered Jicheol Gallery.

“I’ll call Secretary Han.”

“I’ll do it, Secretary Choi. You can go home now.”

“No, after Secretary Han comes out and you two have your conversation, I’ll take you home, Director.”

Knowing better than anyone the hardships Dokyeom endured on his business trip, Secretary Choi intended to assist him to the end.

But seeing the firm eyes demanding the car keys, he couldn’t do it.

“Don’t overdo it, Director.”

Dokyeom chuckled lightly in response to the affectionate concern.

***

After sending Secretary Choi away, Dokyeom immediately called Leeyeon.

However, after several rings, he was met with the automated message saying she couldn’t answer the phone, not Leeyeon’s voice.

She had said she’d be waiting at the gallery.

Since she was someone who usually responded instantly, he felt a slight urgency.

He wondered if something else had happened.

This, too, was an unfamiliar reaction.

Normally, he would’ve been annoyed at someone not answering his calls, but here he was, worrying instead.

While continuing to call Leeyeon, Dokyeom moved forward.

He went as far as Cha Heeyoung’s office, but the desk where Leeyeon always sat was empty.

It was strange because she wasn’t the type to leave without saying anything.

After stepping out into the hallway and heading toward the parking lot, Dokyeom eventually noticed a light spilling out from the farthest office.

With a faint hope, he walked toward it.

And through the half-open door, he saw the back of Leeyeon, the person he had been looking for.

In a space filled with canvases, easels, and various tools, Leeyeon was sitting.

‘So she was in the art studio.’

He couldn’t immediately step inside or call her name because she was completely absorbed in something.

Leeyeon was painting.

Her usually long, loose hair was casually twisted up with a pencil, and she was diligently brushing paint onto the canvas.

‘She said she doesn’t paint anymore.’

She had said it was a futile hope, like chasing clouds, yet it seemed her dream was still ongoing.

This was the first time he had seen Leeyeon so focused on something.

Her brown eyes, fixed on the canvas, sparkled far more than usual, and her slightly parted lips, a result of her concentration, were incredibly captivating.

When she was deep in thought, she would hold the brush and nibble lightly on her full lips; once she made up her mind, she began painting with bold strokes.

Every time she moved, the hem of her blouse fluttered.

Her movements almost resembled a dance.

It was hard to believe such strength came from her slender arms as the sound of the brush scraping against the canvas echoed loudly.

It was the smell of oil paint, which he normally didn’t like.

But now, mixed with the floral scent that always lingered around Leeyeon, it didn’t bother him.

He wanted to watch Leeyeon paint more closely.

He had come here straight from his business trip without resting, utterly exhausted.

But after seeing Leeyeon, he had long forgotten about his fatigue.

On tiptoe, Dokyeom crept closer to her.

She seemed so focused that she didn’t notice him standing right behind her.

Seeing the painting Leeyeon was working on up close, he found it even harder to look away.

It was a simple picture of a man standing by a blue seaside, but it kept drawing his attention.

Though the painting wasn’t finished, it was clear she had exceptional talent.

‘With such remarkable talent.’

It seemed a shame that someone like her was working as a personal secretary beside Cha Heeyoung.

As he moved closer to admire the painting more closely.

“Oh?”

Leeyeon turned her head, perhaps finally sensing his presence.

“Director!”

Startled, Leeyeon quickly put down her brush and tried to shield the painting with her slender body.

Knowing that her slim figure couldn’t hide the large canvas, she earnestly tried to block Dokyeom’s view.

“Wh-when did you get here? No, how did you know I was here?”

Dokyeom chuckled softly at Leeyeon, who was flustered and bombarding him with questions.

“I called, but you didn’t answer.”

“Oh… I’m sorry.”

Leeyeon belatedly picked up her phone from where it was placed beside the table.

As Leeyeon moved away, the painting she had been diligently working on came back into view.

Though it was just an ordinary picture, looking at it made his heart strangely flutter.

Just like it often did when he was with Han Leeyeon.

“You called twice. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize my phone was ringing.”

Leeyeon hastily gathered her belongings.

“What were you doing here?”

“I was just spending some time…”

“I didn’t know you were still painting these days.”

Leeyeon’s ears turned bright red, embarrassed by Dokyeom’s question.

“I don’t paint often. I just had some free time today.”

“It doesn’t seem like a futile talent.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s a pity. Someone who should be holding exhibitions and creating artworks.”

Dokyeom said, staring intently at Leeyeon as if she were wasting away beside Cha Heeyoung.

Her whole body froze in an instant, as if she were being devoured by his dark eyes.

“I’m not nearly that skilled. You’re flattering me.”

If her family circumstances had been better, wouldn’t this woman have been able to showcase her talent?

That thought suddenly crossed his mind.

“How about trying to paint properly again once this work with me is over?”

At those words, Leeyeon shook her head firmly.

“No, I’m fine.”

“There’s no way you’re fine.”

Leeyeon, who looked like a different person the moment she was painting.

It must mean she loves painting that much, but the current Leeyeon was speaking as if she didn’t at all.

“Director, shall we leave now?”

Dokyeom’s gaze kept drifting to the painting behind Leeyeon.

There was a time when she felt joy in showing her paintings to others and seeing their reactions, but she didn’t want to receive an evaluation from Dokyeom here.

“Let’s go.”

Fortunately, Dokyeom agreed readily and started walking.

As they walked down the long hallway, Leeyeon added a comment.

“Director Cha Heeyoung said we could use the studio as much as we wanted.”

“Did you spend time in the studio while waiting for me?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Fortunately, Dokyeom didn’t ask any more questions after that.

Throughout the walk, Leeyeon’s eyes were fixed on Dokyeom’s back as he walked quickly ahead.

A moment ago, in the studio, his eyes asking if she could really be okay seemed so kind that it felt like an illusion.

It made her heart ache for a moment.

Since giving up painting until now, no one had asked if she was okay not doing what she loved, so it was the first time.

‘Don’t misunderstand.’

He was probably just curious because she still held a brush despite saying she had given up on her dreams.

She knew it meant nothing more, yet having her secret hobby discovered by Dokyeom made her heart race uncontrollably.